After two decades spinning disks himself, DJ Darren Goulden has set up a turntable training school.

The 44-year-old, of Salford, has launched the Manchester Music and DJ Academy and wants to work with young people aged 16-24, who are not in education, employment or training, otherwise known as NEETS.

Mr Goulden, who won the DJ of the Year title three times in a row in the early 90s, is working closely with Salford City College, Irlam College and Salford City Reds to get young people involved in the project.

The courses last between six and 12 weeks and cover everything from mixing techniques to setting up and hosting.

Mr Goulden, who quit his job with a welding business in January to launch the venture, said he wanted to give something back to the community.

He said: “It’s an idea I’ve had for 18 months. When I’m DJing. I’m constantly asked by people how I got into it and where they can learn so I realised there was a gap in the market for this kind of training.

“I also realised that at least 60 per cent of DJs are aged 40-plus and very few are under 25, which actually leaves a skills shortage of DJs when the older guys eventually retire.”

Mr Goulden is also working with Eccles-based DJ and corporate entertainment company, Unit One Entertainment, who will provide more DJs to help with the training. DJ Hire, Irlam, will also be supporting the classes.

Mr Goulden said: “When I started researching DJ courses there weren’t actually many in the local area so it was the perfect opportunity to start now.

“There’s a lot of young people who are not in college or training but just need a chance to do something they enjoy and learn new skills. Not everyone will want to become a DJ but it might bring out their confidence and lead to another career choice.”

A series of pilot courses will start in May and a six-week course will begin in the summer holidays.

Salford City Reds is also working with the academy and will be providing venue space.

Mr Goulden started DJing in 1983 when he met the founding member of Unit One Entertainment, Tony Thomas. Mr Thomas trained Mr Goulden and they worked together for several years.

Shortly after Mr Thomas’s death in 1995, Mr Goulden met his wife and got a ‘nine to five career’ to fit in with his family.

In 2005 he launched Flexible Abrasive Technology, which supplied the aerospace industry with machinery.

However, the business suffered heavily during the recession and closed in 2008. Mr Goulden said: “I started working for various welding firms after that, and started picking up DJing again.

“I never quite left it and did the odd night but when I lost the business, I started taking on more jobs and now I’m really busy most nights of the week.

“It’s a great business to be in, it’s very sociable and you meet some great people.”